Nearly one year after his death, Val Kilmer is returning to the screen through state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence in the upcoming independent film "As Deep as the Grave," with full approval from his estate and family.

The project, announced March 18, 2026, by First Line Films, marks one of the boldest applications yet of AI in feature filmmaking. Kilmer, the acclaimed actor known for iconic roles in "Top Gun," "Tombstone," "Batman Forever" and "The Doors," died April 1, 2025, at age 65 from pneumonia following a long battle with throat cancer diagnosed in 2014.

Director-writer-producer Coerte Voorhees originally cast Kilmer in 2020 (with some reports citing as early as 2015) to play Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist in the fact-based historical drama. The film chronicles the lives of pioneering archaeologists Ann Axtell Morris and Earl Halstead Morris, who excavated sites in Mexico and the American Southwest from the 1920s to 1940s, focusing on their work in Arizona's Canyon de Chelly and interactions with Navajo communities.

Kilmer passionately identified with the role, according to Voorhees, viewing it as an opportunity to highlight Ann Morris as the first prominent female archaeologist in North America and to explore Southwestern spiritual themes. Health complications from cancer and related treatments prevented Kilmer from filming any scenes, even as production delays pushed the project forward.

Rather than recast the part, Voorhees turned to generative AI to realize his vision. The technology recreates Kilmer's likeness and performance using a combination of archival photos, footage from his younger years and later appearances, allowing the digital version to portray Father Fintan across different life stages. The AI-generated Kilmer will appear in a "significant part" of the finished film.

"This is a first-ever performance enabled by generative AI in collaboration with Val Kilmer's estate," the production stated. Voorhees emphasized close coordination with Kilmer's daughter Mercedes Kilmer and other family members to ensure the depiction was respectful and true to the actor's intent. Mercedes confirmed the family's support, noting her father's fascination with emerging technologies and his deep connection to the project.

The announcement follows a first-look image released by Variety showing the AI-rendered Kilmer in character, sparking immediate reactions across Hollywood and tech circles. Supporters praise the move as a fitting tribute that honors Kilmer's unfinished commitment, while critics question the ethics of digital resurrection, even with consent, amid broader concerns over AI deepfakes, job displacement for actors and the authenticity of performances.

FIRST LOOK: Val Kilmer has been resurrected via AI to star in the new movie "As Deep as the Grave."Kilmer was cast in the movie in 2020, five years before his death. But he was too sick amid his throat cancer battle to ever make it to set. Now an AI version of the actor is… pic.twitter.com/OjWHUdrsXn— Variety (@Variety) March 18, 2026

FIRST LOOK: Val Kilmer has been resurrected via AI to star in the new movie "As Deep as the Grave."Kilmer was cast in the movie in 2020, five years before his death. But he was too sick amid his throat cancer battle to ever make it to set. Now an AI version of the actor is… pic.twitter.com/OjWHUdrsXn

This is not the first time AI has intersected with Kilmer's career. In 2021, voice-cloning technology from startup Sonantic helped restore his natural speaking voice for the documentary "Val," using old recordings to recreate dialogue after throat cancer treatments left him reliant on a voice box. That effort, approved by Kilmer, demonstrated positive applications of the tech for personal expression.

"As Deep as the Grave" joins a growing list of projects navigating posthumous performances. Earlier examples include Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher in "Star Wars" sequels via CGI and deepfake-like techniques, and voice work for deceased artists in music or animation. Unlike those, which often used practical effects or limited archival material, the Kilmer case relies heavily on generative AI for a full, dynamic role.

The film's ensemble includes Abigail Lawrie as Ann Morris, Tom Felton as Earl Morris, Wes Studi and Abigail Breslin in supporting parts. Originally titled "Canyon of the Dead," the project shifted focus to emphasize archaeological discovery and cultural respect.

Voorhees described the decision as driven by both artistic vision and emotional weight. "When Val came on board five years ago, he immediately identified with the historical Southwestern spiritual character of Father Fintan," he said in a statement. Family members reportedly reinforced that Kilmer "really wanted to be a part of this," viewing the film as meaningful beyond entertainment.

No release date has been set, though the production aims for festival circuit entry and eventual distribution. The news arrives as AI tools advance rapidly in entertainment, raising SAG-AFTRA and other union discussions on likeness rights, consent protocols and compensation for estates.

For fans, the development offers a bittersweet opportunity to see Kilmer in a new light—one shaped by technology he embraced in life. Kilmer's memoir "I'm Your Huckleberry" and his documentary revealed his philosophical outlook, including interest in spirituality and innovation, aligning with the film's themes.

Whether "As Deep as the Grave" proves a respectful homage or sparks wider debate on AI in cinema, it underscores evolving boundaries in storytelling. With family blessing and technical precision, Kilmer's final on-screen chapter arrives not through time travel, but through code.

© International Business Times